During the summer of 2007 I happened to land at the El Paso, Texas, International Airport. While taxiing to the runway for takeoff we caught a fleeting glimpse of an unusual looking jet plane. It's appearance caught my attention because although it had the dimensions of a typical medium-heavy corporate jet, it sported four under-wing mounted jet engines! It reminded me of the B-58 Hustler. The nacelle inlets for the engines were square rather than round, a real clue to the plane's age and typical of early jets of the 1950's.
Intrigued by the aircraft I got in front of the PC at home and searched the El Paso airport ramps using Virtual Earth. The airplane was indeed there and it's shape astounded me. More Internet digging revealed the aircraft as the McDonnell 119 (later changed to the 220), serial number 1, the only airframe built in this series. McDonnell marketed it as its first business jet. The company's marketing video is currently posted on YouTube and is worth the seven minutes viewing time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKcGDJQwTz0. The video offers a lot about the plane and includes a pitch to corporations for upgrading from propeller airplanes to jets. As well, the video is fun to watch- when's the last time your airplane was fueled by a Line Man wearing a white lab coat?
The story of serial number 001 itself is quite a tale. After being orphaned by McDonnell the plane was flown sparingly and attempts at modernizing it failed mostly due to its out dated electrical system and engine fuel controls. Apparently it landed at KELP with two of its four engines shut down by necessity. Essentially a one-off, it is likely this plane will never fly again. But it is sad to see it parked and deteriorating in the hot Texas sun. It surely belongs in the museum of aviation curiosities, not roasting until it finally crumbles into aluminum scrap.
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